Page 35 of Keeping Denver

My eyes bounce back and forth between Lucas and Frances. "I swear I didn't take her wallet. I don't know what she's talking about." The unwanted attention sends panic coursing through my body, and I begin to shake. What the hell is going on?

"Oh, please. You think you have everyone here fooled but not me."

"I'm not trying to fool anyone, Kelly. I promise I didn't steal your wallet." I try pleading with her, but my words are falling on deaf ears because she's already on her phone with the police spouting off the address.

"Kelly. You can't go around accusing people of such things and calling the police without proof." Frances takes a step toward Kelly; her expression one of anger. "Denver would do no such thing."

"I agree with Frances," Lucas adds. "Denver is not a thief.

"You two are fools. You'll see once the police get here." Kelly lifts her nose in the air, with a smug look on her face.

"What the hell is going on here!" Callan's voice booms as he barrels down the hall, taking in the current scene. At this point, I am no longer able to hold back the tears. Callan takes me in his arms when he sees the state I'm in.

"Kelly accused Denver of stealing her wallet and has called the police," Frances fills him in.

Callan spins, facing Kelly. "Want to fucking explain?"

Just then, two officers are being escorted toward us by the security guard. "We received a call about a stolen wallet?"

Kelly raises her hand. "Yes, officer. I reported the stolen wallet, and I have reason to believe it was Denver Hollis who took it. I want her belongings searched."

"Now hold on a goddamn minute," Callan shouts, still holding my shaking body against his.

One of the officers steps forward. "I'm sorry, Sir. But we have to investigate the allegation. Who is Denver Hollis?" I look up at Callan, then address the officer.

"I am," my voice cracks as anxiety tries to strangle me.

The officer then addresses me. "Ma'am. I'm going to need to search your belongings."

"She doesn't have to do shit," Callan spits, trying to interject once again.

I place my hand on his arm. "Let them do their job, Callan. I didn't take anything." He gives me a tight nod. Stepping out of his hold, I walk to my desk and retrieve my purse. "Here you go, officer."

The cop takes my purse and proceeds to dump its contents out in front of everyone. The first thing to land on top of my desk is an unrecognizable Chanel wallet. My mouth opens in shock.

"You see!" Kelly yells, pointing at the pile of stuff laid out on the desk. "I knew she stole it."

I now have six sets of eyes on me. "I don't know how that got in there, I swear," I plead with tears running down my face.

The officer then picks up a scarf, and when he does, a necklace falls out. He picks it up. "Is this your necklace, Ma'am?"

I eye the jewelry. "No. I've never seen that before in my life. I don't know why it was in my bag."

Frances is the next to speak up. "That necklace belongs to me," her tone is low with shock. "It was my mother's." She looks at the jewelry in the cop's hand, then to me. Her brow scrunches with confusion.

"Frances, I swear I didn't take it. I would never do something like that."

"Just like when you started working here, you didn't steal food from the faculty lounge?" Kelly accuses, her tone sarcastic.

"I…" my eyes dart around the room as people scrutinize me with their stares. "That was different," I say in an ashamed whisper. I look to Callan, who has suddenly gone silent. He's looking at me like I'm a stranger. Does he honestly believe what I'm accused of? "Callan?" I reach for him only to have him take a step back. My heart plummets to the floor. "Callan. You don't believe I did this, do you? I would never…"

Callan looks at me with hurt and betrayal. "Then why were those items, not belonging to you, in your bag, Denver? Did you take that necklace when we were at Frances's the other night for dinner?"

"No!" I sob. "I didn't do this." I turn to Frances. "I didn't take your necklace, Frances."

Frances still carries a look of confusion, and just as she's about to open her mouth, the officer speaks. "I'm sorry, but you're going to have to come with us, Miss Hollis." The cop takes the handcuffs from his belt and steps to me. "I have to place you under arrest. Do you understand?"

I look to Callan and plead once again. "Callan, please. Don't let them arrest me. I didn't do it. Please," I cry, and Callan grinds his jaw. Turning his face away, he refuses to look at me. I cut my eyes to Frances then to Lucas. Both look on with pity. Kelly, however, looks like she's just won.